Student Privacy Spotlighted in VA

[MountainLaurel]

School records used in anti-immigrant campaign.

School officials in the City of Manassas admitted this week that they skirted federal privacy laws when they divulged personal information about a number of Hispanic students to city inspectors investigating anonymous complaints about overcrowded housing.

The 2005 disclosures -- school officials were looking for Hispanic students with different last names living at the same address -- led to late-night and often intrusive inspections. City zoning officials measured bedroom space, counted windows and electrical outlets, and quizzed occupants about their relationships to one another, according to a lawsuit filed by some of the victims.

More than 90 percent of the inspections were of Hispanic homes. Most of the inspections found no violations, City Manager Larry Hughes said.

This week, city and School Board officials agreed to settle a lawsuit brought by 11 Hispanic residents charging officials with targeting and discriminating against Hispanics. Together, the city and school system will pay $775,000 to cover plaintiff damages and attorneys' fees.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/09/26/AR2008092603641.html

[Sabriel]

1. It's worth reading the whole story

The impact on people was terrible, to say the least, including students who had to move homes and schools.

How could someone in a school situation not know about FERPA regulations? Geez.